AN Arnside man who was a former Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria has passed away following a varied and illustrious career, aged 91.

Dr Geoffrey Thompson OBE was born in Stalybridge, Cheshire, on April 25, 1926 to parents Edna May and Alexander William Thompson.

Educated first at St Lawrence CE Primary School in Mottram, he went on to attend Manchester Grammar School, Preston Grammar School and then the University of Manchester to study Physics.

After graduating as a physicist he joined the research department of textile company Tootal, Broadhurst and Lee where his name appeared on several UK and overseas patents.

He rose rapidly to scientific and technical advisor to various subsidiary companies and when he left he was scientific PA to the deputy chairman.

Dr Thompson married Irene Lilian Eatock on July 28, 1949 and they remained together for the rest of his life. They raised sons John and Peter and were later made grandparents and then great grandparents.

In 1966 he joined Bibby, a Merseyside conglomerate. He held various senior positions and in 1986 retired as deputy chairman.

He went on to join Henry Cooke in Beetham in 1968 and transformed the business, changing it to a specialist mill.

Other directorships included his time as chairman for Furmanite, Kendal, vice chairman for Petranol PLC, working with Inward Ltd and Fothergill and Harvey, acting as chairman for Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon, Kendal, chairman for the East Lancashire Paper Mill, Radcliffe, and time spent with North West Water.

As well as being made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1984, he was awarded an OBE in 1993 for his services to technical innovation and was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Cumbria in the same year.

Although he retired aged 55, he kept busy as he wanted to 'give back' to the community. He was appointed an honorary treasurer of the University of Lancaster and went on to be awarded an honorary doctorate in 1994 after 10 years of service.

He was also appointed chairman of Lancaster District Health Authority, chairman of Lancaster Acute Hospital Trust and a member of the NHS Federation Council.

During his time at the health authority he obtained the funds to build the new hospital in Lancaster and oversaw its construction.

Dr Thompson also acted as chairman of the Francis Scott Charitable trust in Kendal, was a trustee of the town's Brewery Arts Centre and founder and last original trustee of Heron Corn Mill in Beetham.

After some 40 years in Beetham, he moved in Arnside around 12 years ago and passed away on January 5 after a long illness.

His son, John Thompson said: "He was kind. He would help anybody. He did not suffer fools gladly. He would help anybody, whether they were from the bottom or the top, he would help."

His funeral will take place on Saturday (January 20) at St Michael and All Angels Parish Church in Beetham at 11am.